Book stand



P 1964 L. E. MAGERS 3,149,726

BOOK STAND Filed Nov. 20, 1961 INVENTOR. Z [flydif lfgyens BY %M WMATTORNEYSQ United States Patent O 3,149,726 v I 1390K STAND Lloyd E.Magers, 'Evanston, 11].; State Bank and Trust Company, Evanston, 111., acorporation of Illinois, trustee and executor of said Lloyd E. Magers,deceased, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Gaylord Bros, Inc,Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No.153,450 12 Claims. (Cl. 211-134) This invention relates to a standsuitable for supporting books or the like, and more particularly to astand or rack of high strength, large capacity, and effectiveness forstorage of articles such as books and the like.

Heretofore, stands for storing books and .the like have had limitedcapacity because storage space has been provided for one side of thestand only. The present invention overcomes this deficiency and affordsfor the first time a double capacity stand having shelves on each sidethereof. Further, the invention provides for vertical end rods, in apreferred embodiment thereof, which rods extend between the bight at theupper end of inverted U-shaped supports for the stand, and lower crosspieces therefor. The rod structures thus afford an exceptional strengthin the stand, and in a particular placement thereof wherein the rodsintersect median points on the shelf ends, they are effective inretaining books or the like in position without any hazard ofinadvertently placing the book pages over a strap at the shelf ends.However, the invention also encompasses a double book stand structurewherein end straps for the shelves may be utilized.

Again, a single stand structure is encompassed within the scope of theinvention wherein the shelf ends are protected by one or more verticalrods of the type indicated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bookstand of exceptional strength and ruggedness as Well as a high degree ofmaneuverability which may be increased by rollers at the bottom of thestand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stand which affordsincreased capacity While occupying but little floor space, which is hghly advantageous for school rooms, institutions such as libraries,hospitals or the like, the stand having a double shelf structure withthe shelves on opposite sides effectively doubling the capacity ofpreviously available stands which might occupy substantially the samefloor space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a book stand constructionwherein the shelf ends are protected by vertical rods which prevent thebooks from sliding or falling off the shelf ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as describedwherein a vertical rod construction is utilized which rigidifies andincreases the strength of' the stand.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds in accordance with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a stand according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a standaccording to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of :a stand according to the view of FIGURE 2;and

FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to the view of FIGURE 3 andcorresponding to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGURE 1 in particular, a stand isshown according to the present invention, which includes a pair ofvertical supports 11 and 12 each preferably having an inverted U-shapedtubular construction with each of the supports 11 and 12 including legs11b and 12b -and-bights 11c and12c that the shelves are preferablytiltedslightly inwardlyv 3,149,725 Patented Sept. 22., 1964 ice respectively;a plurality of cross bars 13 and 14 for the respective supports 11 and12; and oppositely facing pairs of registered shelves 15, 16; 17, 18;and 19, 20, extending between the supports 11 and 12 and secured to thecross pieces thereon as hereinafter described. Desirably also, each leg11b and 12b of each of the respective supports 11 and 12 is providedwith a roller 21 so that a high degree of mobility and accessability forthe stand 10 is afforded within the scope of the invention.

The shelves 15 through 20 desirably are of a substantially right angledcross-sectional configuration for supporting books or the like so that,for example, as seen with respect to the shelf 19, a back 22 and asupport base 23 are provided by each of the said shelves. Also, theshelves may each include a top, inwardly turned flange extendinglongitudinally therealong as indicated at 24, and a bottom, downwardlyturned flange extending longitudinally as indicated at 25. Outwardly anddownward- 1y extending end straps 26 may be connected by welding or thelike across the ends of the shelves, as shown, to retain books inposition on the shelves, and the individual shelves may be secured tothe vertical supports by welding the flanges 25 to the respective legs11b and 12b of the respective vertical supports 11 and 12 and by weldingthe flanges 24 of the middle and lower shelves to the cross bars 13 and14. Similarly, the flanges 24 of the topmost shelves may be Welded tothe bights 11c and 120 of the respective supports 11 and 12. However,the connection of the shelves to the vertical supports may be providedin a different manner, as by means of screws extending into underlyingor supporting relation with the flanges and the shelves or by otherfastening means.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, another embodiment of the stand of theinvention is shown wherein a double shelf structure is similarlyafforded, this embodiment being designated by reference numeral 10a.According to the embodiment 10a, supports 11 and 12 are provided for theshelves 15 through 20 as hereinbefore indicated, but instead ofutilizing cross bars 13 and 14 for the vertical supports and to afford aconnection for the shelves, a bottom cross piece 27 is secured bywelding or the like between the bottom portions of the legs 11b and 12bof the respective supports 11 and 12; and a plurality of vertical rodsof preferably tubular construction similar to the vertical supports, issecured as by welding or the like between the bight portions and of thevertical supports and therespective cross pieces 27 for each side of thestand 101:. These vertical supports are indicated by reference numeral28, 29 and 30 and it will be seen that in a preferred form of theinvention the central rods 29 are used for providing a secure connectionfor the inner upper ends of the shelves 15 through 20, as by welding theflanges 24 thereof to the said vertical rods 29, or otherwise. Likewise,the outer portions of the shelf ends may be secured to the verticalsupports as in the previously described embodiment, by welding or othersuitable means. Further to reinforce and rigidify the structure 10a, butadditionally and as animportant feature of the invention to provide ameans. ofpreventing lateral outward movement of books from the shelves,the vertical supports 28 and 30 are disposed intermediate the inner andouter edges of the shelves and thus intersect the shelf cross-sectionsin abutting engagement with their ends.

The shelves may be secured by welding or other means to the said rods 28and 30 on each side of the stand 10a, but need not be so secured since'arugged, effective and simple construction'will be provided even withoutsuch a "connection. "rDesirably, the vertical rods 28 and 30 aredisposed in intersecting relation to the lower support portions 23 ofthe individual stands, although it will be seen about their horizontalaxes so that books may be disposed thereon in securely seated andretained position. By means of the said rods 28 and 30, any tendency ofthe books to move outwardly from the shelves will be prevented and thebooks or other objects on the shelves will be held in position evenduring movement of the stand from one position to another in a room orbetween rooms, etc. The vertical rods have the additional advantage thatthey eliminate any tendency of the endmost books to become engaged onstraps such as the straps 26 and also afford a more secure retentionmeans for the books together with a reinforcement which is highlydesirable. Referring now to FIGURE 4, another embodiment of theinvention is shown wherein a stand 195 is provided having a single tierof shelves rather than a double shelf construction as in the precedingembodiments. Thus shelves 150, 16a and 17a are secured betweenindividual uprights 11a, with the forward ends of the shelf portions 23abeing secured by welding or other suitable means to one of the legs 11band 11d of the vertical supports 11a; and the rear, uppermost edgeportions of the shelf backs 24a being secured to the opposite legs ofthe supports 11a. The lower portion of the rearmost legs of the supports11a, indicated by reference numeral 31, may be set outwardly if desiredby use of an offset element 31a, for stability; and a cross piece 20a isdisposed across the lowermost leg portions of the respective supports11a for reinforcing as described. Thus, in the embodiment b, a singlevertical rod 32 is extended between the support a and the upper portionor bight of the respective vertical supports 11a. The rods 31 may bewelded to the cross pieces 20a and the upper bight portions of thesupports are otherwise engaged therewith, and thus add to the stabilityand strength of the structure. The rods 31 desirably intersect the lowersupport portions 23a of the respective shelves 15a, 16a and 17a, andprevent books from accidentally sliding off the shelves or falling offas in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the verticalrods may be substantially midway between the legs of the respectivesupports 11a. The

shelf ends may be welded to the vertical rods or not as is mostconvenient or suitable for particular circumstances and conditions.

It will thus be seen that a stand or the like has been provided withinthe scope of the invention which permits the retention of a large supplyof reference or other books in a readily accessible location for schooluse or otherwise as in libraries and other institutions. The stand maybe readily moved from one position to another with the supply of bookscarried thereon, and use of the stand is improved because more thanseveral persons can conveniently examine the contents of the stand, withindividuals standing on opposite sides thereof. The stand of theinvention is exceptionally rugged, particularly in the embodimentutilizing vertical rods at the shelf ends, and in this embodiment also,the advantage is afforded of preventing the books from sliding offwithout any danger that the books at the endsof the shelves will becomeengaged on straps or the like. The vertical rods not only ri'gidify thestructure but provide a convenient means of handling and moving thestand. And it will be seen that the invention has application in a widevariety of situations in addition to those described.

If desired the top shelves 15 and 16 can be replaced with a fiat shelfat the level of the front ends of the shelves 15 and 16. Such a fiat topshelf can be used as a support for books and magazines in open conditionfor reference study.

Further if desired the weld bonds connecting the shelves and endsupports 11 and 12 can be replaced with bolt connectors to provide aknockdown assembly. For this purpose internally threaded rods can bewelded to the flanges 24 and at the ends of the shelves, the endsupports can have holes therethrough registering with the d rods andbolts inserted through these holes can be threaded into the rods tounite the assembly.

Although I have herein set forth and described my invention with respectto certain specific principles in details thereof, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that these may be varied without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the hereuntoappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped construction, each of said supports having a bottomcross piece extending between the legs thereof, a central vertical rodextending between the cross piece and bight thereof, a rod on each sideof the central vertical rod extending between the cross piece and thebight thereof, and a pair of registered shelves each having a bottomsupport portion and an upwardly extending back portion, said shelveshaving at least the upper ends of the back portions secured to thecentral vertical rod and having the outer ends of the support portionssecured to the opposite legs of the respective vertical supports wherebythe shelves are facing outwardly in opposite directions, the rods oneach side of said vertical rods preventing books from falling from theshelf ends.

2. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped construction, each of said supports having a bottomcross piece extending between the legs thereof, a central vertical rodextending between the cross piece and bight thereof, a rod on each sideof the central vertical rod extending between the cross piece and thebight thereof, and a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of registeredshelves each having a bottom support portion and an upwardly extendingback portion, said shelves having at least the upper ends of the backportions secured to the central vertical rod and having the outer endsof the support portions secured to the opposite legs of the respectivevertical supports whereby the individual shelves of each of the pairs ofshelves are facing outwardly in opposite directions, the rods on eachside of said vertical rods preventing books from falling from the shelfends.

3. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped configuration, each of said vertical supports having abottom cross piece between the legs thereof, and a vertical rodextending between the cross piece and the bight thereof centrallythereof, and a pair of shelves with the shelves thereof facing outwardlyin opposite directions and each having a back and an outwardly extendingbase support, said backs having their upper end edges secured to thebights of the respective vertical supports and said base supports eachhaving their outer end edges secured to the respective legs of thevertical supports.

4. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped configuration, each of said vertical supports having abottom cross piece between the legs thereof, and a vertical rodextending between the cross piece and the bight thereof, centrallythereof; a pair of shelves with the shelves thereof facing outwardly inopposite directions and each having a back and an outoutwardly extendingbase support, said backs having their upper end edges secured to thebights of the respective vertical supports and said base supports eachhaving their outer end edges secured to the respective legs of thevertical supports, and a pair of shelves corresponding to the firstnamed shelves and disposed in spaced relation therebeneath with theupper end edges of the backs thereof secured to said vertical rods andthe outer end edges of the base supports thereof secured to saidrespective legs of said vertical supports.

5. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped configuration, each of 'said vertical supports havinga bottom cross piece between the legs thereof, and a vertical rodextending between the cross piece and the bight thereof, centrallythereof; a

pair of shelves with the shelves thereof facing outwardly in oppositedirections and each having a back and an outwardly extending basesupport, said backs having their upper end edges secured to the bightsof the respective vertical supports and said base supports each havingtheir outer end edges secured to the respective legs of the verticalsupports, a pair of shelves corresponding to the first named shelves anddisposed in spaced relation therebeneath with the upper end edges of thebacks thereof secured to said vertical rods and the outer end edges ofthe base supports thereof secured to said respective legs of saidvertical supports and a vertical rod on each side of each of the firstmentioned vertical rods and extending between the bottom cross piece andthe bight of each of said vertical supports to prevent books or the likefrom moving inadvertently off the ends of said shelves.

6. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped construction, each of said supports having a bottomcross piece extending between the legs thereof, a central vertical rodextending between the cross piece and bight thereof, a rod on each sideof the central vertical rod extending between the cross piece and thebight thereof, and a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of registeredshelves each having a bottom support portion and an upwardly extendingback portion, said shelves having at least the upper ends of the backportions secured to the central vertical rod and having the outer endsof the support portions secured to the opposite legs of the respectivevertical supports whereby the individual shelves of each of the pairs ofshelves are facing outwardly in opposite directions, each of said legshaving a roller at the bottom end thereof for ready movement of thestand from one location to another as desired.

7. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped configuration, each of said vertical supports having abottom cross piece between the legs thereof, and a pair of shelves withthe shelves thereof facing outwardly in opposite directions and eachhaving a back and an outwardly extending base support, said backs havingtheir upper end edges secured to the bights of the respective verticalsupports and said base supports each having their outer end edgessecured to the respective legs of the vertical supports.

8. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports, each of said supportshaving a top and bottom cross piece extending between a pair of legsthereof, a central vertical rod extending between the top and bottomcross pieces thereof, a rod on each side of the central vertical rodextending between the top and bottom cross pieces thereof, and a pair ofregistered shelves each having a bottom support portion and an upwardlyextending back portion, said shelves having at least the upper ends ofthe back portions secured to the central vertical rod and having theouter ends of the support portions secured to the opposite legs of therespective vertical supports whereby the shelves are facing outwardly inopposite directions, the rods on each side of said vertical rodspreventing books from falling from the shelf ends.

9. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports, each of said verticalsupports having a top and bottom cross piece between a pair of legsthereof, and a vertical rod extending between the top and bottom crosspieces centrally thereof; a pair of shelves with the shelves thereoffacing outwardly in opposite directions and each having a back and anoutwardly extending base support, said backs having their upper endedges secured to the top cross pieces of the respective verticalsupports and said base supports each having their outer end edgessecured to the respective legs of the vertical supports, and a pair ofshelves corresponding to the first named shelves and disposed in spacedrelation therebeneath with the upper end edges of the backs thereofsecured to said vertical rods and the outer end edges of the basesupports thereof secured to said respective legs of said verticalsupports.

10. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports, each of saidsupports having a top and bottom cross piece extending between a pair oflegs thereof, a central vertical rod extending between the top andbottom cross pieces thereof, a plurality of vertically spaced pairs ofregistered shelves each having a bottom support portion and an upwardiyextending back portion, said shelves having at least the upper ends ofthe back portions secured to the central vertical rod and having theouter ends of the support portions secured to the opposite legs of therespective vertical supports whereby the individual shelves of each ofthe pairs of shelves are facing outwardly in opposite directions.

11. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports each having aninverted U-shaped configuration, each of said vertical supports having across piece between the legs thereof, and a pair of shelves with theshelves thereof facing outwardly in opposite directions and each havinga back and an outwar ly extending base support, said backs having theirupper end edges secured to the cross piece of the respective verticalsupports and said base supports each having their outer end edgessecured to the respective legs of the vertical supports.

12. A stand comprising a pair of vertical supports, each of saidvertical supports having a plurality of cross pieces between a pair oflegs thereof, a pair of shelves with the shelves thereof facingoutwardly in opposite directions and each having a back and an outwardlyextending base support, said backs having their upper end edges securedto one of the respective cross pieces and said base supports each havingtheir outer end edges secured to the respective legs of the verticalsupports and a pair of shelves corresponding to the first named shelvesand disposed in spaced relation therebeneath with the upper end edges ofthe backs thereof secured to another cross piece and the outer end edgesof the base supports thereof secured to said respective legs of saidvertical supports.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS925,577 Gordon June 22, 1909 1,192,746 Brown July 25, 1916 1,700,212Arlt Jan. 29, 1929 2,256,996 Bales Sept. 23, 1941 2,562,497 Klein July31, 1951 2,802,576 Kelling Aug. 13, 1957 2,844,257 Friedman July 22,1958 2,850,172 Beckner Sept. 2, 1958 2,932,408 Jacobson Apr. 12, 19602,938,632 Mondineu May 31, 1960

7. A STAND COMPRISING A PAIR OF VERTICAL SUPPORTS EACH HAVING ANINVERTED U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION, EACH OF SAID VERTICAL SUPPORTS HAVING ABOTTOM CROSS PIECE BETWEEN THE LEGS THEREOF, AND A PAIR OF SHELVES WITHTHE SHELVES THEREOF FACING OUTWARDLY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND EACHHAVING A BACK AND AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING BASE SUPPORT, SAID BACKS HAVINGTHEIR UPPER END EDGES SECURED TO THE BIGHTS OF THE RESPECTIVE VERTICALSUPPORTS AND SAID BASE SUPPORTS EACH HAVING THEIR OUTER END EDGESSECURED TO THE RESPECTIVE LEGS OF THE VERTICAL SUPPORTS.